Smoothhound
Mustelus asterias · Sharks and dogfish
Also called hound, starry smoothhound, smooth hound
Summer shark that hunts crabs over sand and mud; strong runs and powerful fights.
How to recognise it
- A slim grey shark, usually 60 to 120 cm.
- The starry smoothhound has small white spots along the back and upper sides.
- Flat, crushing teeth rather than sharp points, for eating crabs.
- Two dorsal fins of a similar size, with no spines in front of them.
When and where
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Found over
- sand, mud, estuary channel
- Baits
- peeler crab, hermit crab, squid
May to September, peaking in early summer.
Sources
- FishBase: Mustelus asterias
- Cefas, Catchwise: A Survey of Marine Recreational Fishing Activity in England and Wales (2026)
- General UK sea-angling guidance (to be verified)
This profile is a draft: we're still checking it against published studies.